A PLAN to build a controversial new estate in Hook, with up to 550 homes, has moved a big step closer.

Members of Hart District Council’s planning committee unanimously approved the principle of building the new estate, to the north east of the village, last Wednesday.

The plan was opposed by Hook Parish Council, whose members claimed the village could not support so many new homes, and the district council received 122 letters of objection from residents.

As reported in The Gazette, Croudace Strategic Ltd and David Wilson Homes Southern applied to build the homes on a 38.6hectare site between Griffin Way North and London Road.

The site had long been earmarked for development, and was included in Hart’s Local Plan – a blueprint for development, which was then rejected by a planning inspector last year.

Dermot Smith, of John Morgan Close, Hook, spoke against the plan on behalf of the resident-led pressure group Hook Action Against Over-Development.

He said the estate would increase the size of the village by 15 per cent, and would lead to traffic and drainage problems.

But Huw Edwards, from the applicants’ planning agent Barton Willmore, stressed that the estate would provide 220 units of affordable housing which is “definitely needed” in Hart.

Councillor Stephen Parker said: “I would find it very difficult to vote against this application. I think it will provide a number of houses that a lot of people will need.”

The application will be approved subject to the planning (major sites) sub-committee agreeing the details of the application, such as access and surface water drainage.